What does a doula do? A guide for parents in Kent and London

Many parents first hear the word “doula” when they are already pregnant, and are not entirely sure what it means. Put simply, a doula is a trained, non-medical companion who supports you and your partner through pregnancy, birth and the first weeks with your baby.

A doula is not a midwife

Your midwife and doctors are responsible for the clinical side of your pregnancy and birth. A doula carries out no examinations and makes no clinical decisions. My role is everything around that: information, calm, comfort, and making sure your wishes are heard.

What a doula does before the birth

• Meets you several times to get to know you, your partner and your hopes for the birth
• Explains your options in plain language, so you can make informed decisions
• Helps you write a birth plan, including a plan B and a plan C
• Prepares your partner, so they know how to support you too
• Is on the phone or WhatsApp for your questions, big and small

What a doula does during labour

• Stays with you continuously — at home, in hospital or at a birth centre
• Offers comfort: massage, breathing, positions, rebozo, a calm atmosphere
• Helps you ask the right questions and remember your plan
• Supports your partner, so they can rest, eat and stay present

After the baby arrives

A postnatal doula helps the whole family settle in: feeding, rest, understanding your baby, meals, older children and — most of all — time for the mother to recover.

Does having a doula make a difference?

A large Cochrane review of continuous support in labour (Bohren et al., 2017) found that women who had continuous support were more likely to have a spontaneous vaginal birth, less likely to have a caesarean, had slightly shorter labours and were less likely to describe their birth as a negative experience.

How to choose your doula

Meet two or three doulas. Ask about their training, their experience and exactly what is included. Most importantly, notice how you feel in their company: you are looking for someone who leaves you calmer than they found you. That is precisely why I offer a free 45-minute online meeting.